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How Hamburg has become Germany’s second city of cool

The new cool: Hamburg has established itself as a stylish city break destination

26 May 2016 • 11:45am

Simon Cable

It’s the city where the Beatles famously cut their teeth before hitting the big time

Still a shabby port at the time John Lennon and Paul McCartney were belting out their earliest numbers, these days visitors arrive for a magical mystery tour of ultra-cool contemporary bars, sleek design hotels and a cultural diversity to rival anywhere in Europe.

A remarkable ability to continuously reinvent itself over the previous six decades has helped Hamburg establish itself as an equally stylish city break destination and a mecca for liberal cool, ensuring it’s not just Berlin that draws the hip crowd to Germany.

Hamburg has doubled in size since the Forties, turning it into Europe’s largest non-capital city, and it is now home to the largest number of millionaires, per capita, than anywhere else on the continent.

Many have been attracted by the cutting-edge cuisine and explosion of business opportunities, while young party-goers are still drawn to the sprawling, neon-lit Reeperbahn red-light district.

No wonder Germany has proudly proclaimed Hamburg to be ‘the gateway to the world’.

The futuristic East Hotel in Hamburg’s St Pauli entertainment district is symbolic of the city’s transformation.

Once an iron foundry, it is now a marvel of modern design with industrial fixtures, impeccably chic furniture and eccentric art installations throughout.

It also has its own nightclub and its celebrated sushi restaurant allows guests to dine by candlelight in the vaulted basement of the old foundry.

The five-star Side Hotel is also a masterpiece of architectural design, and has proved hugely popular with the city’s young media types.

Located next to the inner-city Binnenalster Lake and Hamburg’s shopping malls, its minimalist glass and stone facade makes a striking addition to its downtown surroundings.

It includes a rooftop bar and outdoor terrace, while the hotel also has four underground storeys housing a fitness centre, swimming pool and spa.

The Meatery restaurant and bar welcomes leading DJs and an enthusiastic weekend party crowd, while even the ultra-sleek designer furniture is for sale.

For a seriously retro experience, visit the 25Hours Hotel in a converted Fifties office block in Hamburg’s West End.

Meat feast: sit down for dinner at the Meatery bar and restaurant

The rooms have been decorated in Sixties and Seventies style, while there are also ‘cabins’ which feature a nod to Hamburg’s maritime heritage.

The 20 Up cocktail bar is on the 20th floor of the Empire Riverside Hotel, and has floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular panoramic views across the city.

For some of the best, locally sourced food in Hamburg try Restaurant Nil.

Set over three floors, this bistro-style eaterie offers a four-course menu of classic German fare that changes every month.

Turnhalle St Georg grill and bar is set in a converted gymnasium has become a huge hit with locals who come for upmarket pizzas and burgers, while you can sample a more innovative menu at the Bullerei restaurant, run by TV chef Tim Malzer - Germany’s answer to Jamie Oliver.

You’ll need to book in advance though - it’s regularly packed out.

There are an abundance of street festivals throughout the summer

Of course, no trip to Hamburg would be complete without sampling the buzz of the famed Reeperbahn red-light district.

Strand Pauli is one of several bars that are transformed into urban beach clubs during the summer months.

Each year thousands of tons of sand are imported to the Hamburg’s riverside terraces making it possible to ‘beach hop’ between the late-night bars along the edge of the River Elbe.

The Hamburg City Beach Club and Hamburg del Mar have installed hammocks, while Sky & Sand boasts a 20 square yard pool lined with sunbeds.

There are an abundance of street festivals throughout the summer, including the Holsten Brewery Festival in May and the Reeperbahn arts and music festival in September.

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